sjar Chapter 557 is lively again.
Chapter 557 is lively again.
Meng Shu glanced at it, then smiled and thanked Donggua on his behalf.
Seeing Jingming looking over, Green Willow, observing his expression, pulled Donggua along, and soon they led the two newly arrived palace maids to retreat to the small kitchen.
Once only the two of them remained in the flower hall, Jingming took a half step forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, tomorrow is the day the young ladies-in-waiting will officially enter the palace. Consort Shun originally arranged for Lady Lin to live in the east wing of Ganlu Palace, sharing a room with Lady Yun. But today, Consort Shun informed the Emperor and changed Lady Lin's arrangement to live in Zhaoqing Palace."
"Zhaoqing Palace?"
Meng Shu poured herself a cup of tea without making a sound.
Zhaoqing Palace was the palace where Empress Qing lived during her lifetime. Although its furnishings were not the most luxurious, it was close to the Funing Palace where the emperor lived, and its location was important.
"Yes." Jingming lowered his head and lowered his voice even more: "The list that Consort Shun handed over yesterday, I don't know why, came over today and specifically mentioned Consort Lin's name, saying that Zhaoqing Palace is empty anyway, so it's better to let young people live there and add some life. As for the side hall of Ganlu Palace that was originally arranged... it has been assigned to Consort Zhao to live there."
Meng Shu picked up her teacup, the rising steam blurring the expression in her eyes.
"Consort Lin has already won the favor of Consort Shun even before entering the palace. It seems that the harem is about to become lively again."
Her voice was soft, as if she were talking to herself, or as if she were speaking to Jingming.
Jingming bowed deeply, not daring to reply.
He deliberately revealed these things today simply to curry favor with Consort Jin. It was also because he knew perfectly well that although the Emperor cherished old feelings, Consort Lin was ultimately only a superficial resemblance—in front of Consort Jin, who had borne the eldest prince, mere looks were far from enough.
Meng Shu naturally understood his intention and said gently, "Eunuch Jing is very kind. We, the Imperial Concubine, will remember this favor."
After Jingming returned to report, Green Willow quietly entered, carrying a list.
"Your Majesty, the rewards to be distributed to the newly selected ladies-in-waiting in each palace tomorrow have been prepared. Please take a look."
Green Willow gently placed the list on the table, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Should we add some extra for Consort Lin's share to show that we value it?"
Meng Shu glanced at the gift list, but did not look up when she heard this. She simply said, "No need. Everything can follow the old rules. There's no need to make an exception for her."
"Yes, I understand." Green Willow said no more.
The following day, the newly selected imperial concubines entered the palace according to regulations.
After the welcoming banquet and music at Linde Hall ended, the next day, all the concubines gathered at Ning Hall, where the young ladies formally paid their respects to Consort Chun, who now held the highest rank in the harem.
Inside the hall, incense smoke curled upwards, and pearls and jade gleamed.
Compared to when the Empress was alive, this audience ceremony was not overly somber or solemn. After the instructions and expressions of gratitude were given, the seven young ladies-in-waiting, led by Consort Lin and Consort Zhao, took their seats at the back.
Apart from Consort Mu being absent due to her pregnancy, the palace has not been able to gather so completely for a long time.
After receiving the greetings, Consort Chun said a few words about "living in harmony" and "strictly abiding by palace rules," then sipped her tea and said no more.
Consort Qi, seated at the lower right, smiled and said, "Seeing these new girls today is truly a sight to behold. Each one is as fresh as a scallion. Our palace is going to be very lively from now on."
Her voice was clear and melodious, tinged with laughter. Her gaze slowly swept across the faces of the seven young ladies, finally lingering briefly on Consort Lin.
Yun Meiren chimed in, "Sister Qi is right. Look at Lin Cairen's bearing and appearance; she is indeed extraordinary."
Upon hearing this, Consort Lin hurriedly rose, curtsied, and said, "You flatter me, Lady Yun. I am unworthy of such praise."
Sitting below Consort Yun, Pei Baolin suddenly chuckled softly, his voice neither too loud nor too soft: "In Consort Lin's residence, Zhaoqing Palace, there are two crabapple trees in the courtyard that are in excellent bloom. At this time of year, they must be extremely beautiful."
Pei Baolin usually relied on the Qing family and was very familiar with Zhaoqing Palace.
Consort Shun glanced at Consort Pei and then said, "The weeping crabapple trees in the eastern corner of the Imperial Garden have also bloomed these past few days, and they are worth seeing." In just a few words, she skillfully shifted the topic from Zhaoqing Palace to the ordinary scenery of the Imperial Garden.
Shen Jieyu immediately chimed in, "That's right. Ning'er and I passed by yesterday and saw them too. They were all pink and beautiful."
Lin Cairen remained seated with her eyes lowered, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with her.
However, when he caught a glimpse of Meng Shu out of the corner of his eye, the hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly.
She had always been proud of her beauty, and secretly harbored the idea of using it to gain a foothold in the palace. Yet even a fleeting glance was enough to see Consort Jin's radiance, which shone like moonlight. I had long heard of Consort Jin's stunning beauty, but seeing it with my own eyes today, I realized that the rumors had not captured even a fraction of her true nature.
A very subtle, almost never-before-seen emotion quietly crept into Lin Cai's heart. It was as if her carefully chosen clothes and deliberately maintained demeanor appeared contrived and flimsy under the natural radiance of the other person.
She subconsciously dug her fingertips deeper into the warm cup, trying to steady her suddenly unbalanced mind with that real touch.
Meng Shu didn't say anything, just sat quietly, occasionally exchanging glances with Consort Chun at the head of the table. Seeing that she seemed tired, Meng Shu nodded slightly, as if to remind her.
Consort Chun understood, raised her hand to gently touch her forehead, and said softly, "Now that you have entered the palace, you are all sisters from now on. Just remember your duty and serve the Emperor and Empress Dowager wholeheartedly. It is getting late. You few will accompany me, Consort Jin, and Consort Shun to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. The rest of you sisters have all worked hard, so you may all go your separate ways."
......
Zhaoqing Hall.
Lady Lin looked at the gifts that were being delivered one after another to the various palace ladies.
Consort Chun bestowed a pair of red gold and gemstone-inlaid bracelets, Consort Shun presented a rare book from the previous dynasty, and even several lower-ranking concubines sent hairpins and sachets. Only Consort Jin sent two bolts of the latest palace satin, which stood out as particularly plain among the gifts.
Before Consort Lin could speak, a clever-looking palace maid named Caihe beside her couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "The Noble Consort is truly generous, and Consort Shun also values the mistress highly... But Consort Jin's reward seems rather meager. Could it be that she dislikes the mistress's move into Zhaoqing Palace and is intentionally showing her disrespect?"
Lin Cairen frowned and said softly, "Stop talking nonsense! How dare you comment on Consort Jin's reward? If you dare to say another word, you won't need to serve me anymore."
Caihe shut up sullenly, but her face still showed some resentment.
Lin Cairen's gaze swept over the table again, her eyes darkening slightly. In the end, she said nothing more, only ordering someone to carefully put away the gifts.